Results 4,461-4,480 of 6,308 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (24 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: Arrangements which may be described as internships are not defined by Irish legislation. Depending on the particulars of the individual arrangement, the participants may have entitlements to protection under employment law. Any persons with questions or complaints regarding their rights under employment law should contact Workplace Relations Customer Service on lo-call 1890 80 80 90 or at...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Directives (24 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: There has been no legislation or statutory instrument drafted to transpose the provisions of Directive 2004/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) into Irish law. This Directive has now been replaced by a new Directive [Council...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: EU Directives (24 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: Directive 2013/35/EU on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) has a transposition deadline of 1 July 2016. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the agency with responsibility for enforcing the measures which will give effect to this Directive in Ireland. The Authority, in accordance...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Positive Ageing Strategy Implementation (18 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: My Department has responsibility, amongst other matters, for ensuring that all workers, regardless of age, enjoy the protections afforded by Ireland’s robust employment rights legislation and have safe working conditions which meet stringent health and safety requirements. It would appear that the attribution of responsibility to my Department for this objective may stem from...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Minimum Wage (17 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: At all times the Government's policy choices are considered in the context of the impact on jobs. This is at the heart of the Action Plan for Jobs process and has been a central feature of successive Budgets and The Pathways to Work programme. This level of policy focus has helped create an environment where 126,000 extra people are at work, all regions are increasing employment and our...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Commission for Energy Regulation (17 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: The Minister has no function in this matter. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), which is an independent regulator. The CER was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent amending...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (17 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following Government approval, I have published the University of Limerick’s study on the prevalence of zero hours contracts among employers in Ireland, and launched a public consultation process to give all interested parties an opportunity to consider and respond to the study. The consultation process commenced on 9thNovember and will run over...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Employment Rights (11 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the consultation process has commenced. My Department has published on its website a consultation document to assist interested parties in making a written submission in response to the University of Limerick’s study. The consultation process runs for a period of eight weeks from Monday 9thNovember 2015 to Monday 4thJanuary 2016. In addition to...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Defence Forces Reserve (11 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: Encouraging and facilitating suitable people to join the Reserve Defence Forces is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Defence and I have no plans to introduce legislation in this area.

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: National Minimum Wage (11 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: At all times the Governments policy choices are considered in the context of the impact on jobs. This is at the heart of the Action Plan for Jobs process and has been a central feature of successive Budgets and The Pathways to Work programme. This level of policy focus has helped create an environment where 126,000 extra people are at work, all regions are increasing employment and our...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Minimum Wage (10 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: The principal function of the Low Pay Commission is, once each year, to examine the national minimum hourly rate of pay and to make a recommendation to the Minister respecting the rate. The Commission is also charged with submitting a report on the matters considered when making the recommendation. The Low Pay Commission structure is designed to ensure a balanced statutory minimum pay rate...

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2015: Order for Second Stage (5 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (5 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." Finance is the lifeblood of every business, a fact acknowledged in the programme for Government and in the actions this Government has taken since assuming office in March 2011. Enterprise needs finance for working capital and to feed investment, expansion, growth and jobs. In spite of recent progress, finance for business remains high on...

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I thank Deputy Pringle for tabling the question. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that yesterday afternoon, following a decision by Government yesterday morning, I published the study by the University of Limerick, UL, on the prevalence of zero-hour contracts and low-hour contracts in the Irish economy. This week, I will launch a public consultation process to give all interested parties...

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: We are conscious of the role seasonal workers play in the economy, and we are also conscious of the opportunities required to be given to seasonal workers for work during periods of the year. I am sure the Deputy has had an opportunity to look at the report at some level over the past 24 hours. It is balanced and the UL's recommendations are independently provided and will be considered by...

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: It is important to ensure protection for people and to acknowledge the needs of enterprises which are active during seasonal periods and provide work for people, which has been the case traditionally throughout the country.

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: I appreciate what Deputy Pringle is saying. The opportunity will arise, of course-----

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: -----during the consultation process for people, including the Deputy, to contribute to the process.

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: This is an area we asked the UL to examine. The report states there is not extensive use of zero-hour contracts in Ireland. It is prevented by the provisions of the Working Time Act 1997, but it is important that our labour market policies, employment protection legislation and the regulatory environment keep up with evolving practices in industry. The UL identified the prevalence of what...

Other Questions: Employment Rights (4 Nov 2015)

Gerald Nash: We are conscious of this. The UL also acknowledged that because of the relatively recent evolution of "if and when" contracts this may very well require further work and further examination over the next period of time.